Warren JFK shooters respond to Centre’s rims
By Doug Chapin
The contest was all but over after the first quarter when JFK (6-3) opened a 25-4 lead against Crestview.
YOUNGSTOWN — The Chevrolet Centre High School Basketball Series is intended as a showcase for area basketball teams. It gives teams an opportunity to play in a first-class facility and in front of fans, players and coaches from other schools, much like in tournament games.
Warren JFK senior Nick Brown took full advantage, showcasing his versatile offensive game in the Eagles’ 73-45 rout of Crestview High Monday. Brown put together a 30-point, eight-rebound, five-assist performance, adding four steals on defense. He required just 18 field goal attempts for his 30 points.
“We shot the ball well today. We were coming off a sluggish game on Saturday and we really shot well today,” Warren JFK coach Bruce Timko said. “Nick and Boo [Timko] were hot in the first quarter and that kind of opened things up for us.”
Brown scored 14 of his points in the first quarter.
“It felt nice, especially after our game against South Range on Saturday,” said Brown, who was awarded the George Burich Most valuable Player Award. “It felt like there was a lid on the basket then, but today it was like an ocean. Everyone was making them. It was nice having everyone make shots. The offense was flowing and it just seemed easy.”
The contest was all but over after the first quarter when JFK (6-3) opened a 25-4 lead.
The Eagles, who have won three in a row, shot 10-of-14 from the field, including 3-of-4 from 3-point range.
An 8-of-14 (4-of-6 behind the arc) second quarter concluded Warren JFK’s 64 percent first-half shooting performance. The Eagles led 45-15 at the break.
Boo Timko added 11 points, Stephen Procopio scored 10 and Pat Hull had four assists for JFK.
More often than not, Brown has to work hard for his points this season as defenses focus their attention on the 6-foot-7 forward.
“They kind of let him shoot the basketball today, which surprised me,” Bruce Timko said. “If Nick is standing still shooting, he’s going to make most of them. And Nick is not used to that, so it was nice to get him a game like that.”
Brown said, “We thought they might play a box-and-one, but they sort of laid off on the shooters and we just kept making them. They came out a little bit in the second half and we had to go inside and Steve Procopio really picked it up inside.”
Crestview (5-7) was paced by Carter Hill with 10 points. The Rebels, who have lost six of their last seven games, played without senior post Jakob Leon.
Timko said he was pleased his team got to participate in the series at the Chevrolet Centre.
“We love coming here, it’s just a great atmosphere for the kids,” Timko said. “Any time we can play here we’ll take advantage of it. It’s a great thing for the kids. It’s a first-class facility, it’s great for Youngstown and it’s great for the kids.”